lesser yellowlegs

noun

plural in form but singular or plural in construction
: a common American marsh and shore bird (Tringa flavipes) that closely resembles the greater yellowlegs in color and markings but is smaller with a shorter more slender bill

Examples of lesser yellowlegs in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Birds at Bell’s Neck Conservation Area in Harwich included 40 green-winged teal, 2 Wilson’s snipe, 2 lesser yellowlegs, 16 greater yellowlegs, 4 bald eagles, and 5 osprey. BostonGlobe.com, 30 Mar. 2022 North of Boston, recent sightings at Rough Meadows Sanctuary in Topsfield have included a pectoral sandpiper, two American woodcocks, a lesser yellowlegs, and a Magnolia warbler. BostonGlobe.com, 13 Nov. 2021

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'lesser yellowlegs.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1889, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of lesser yellowlegs was in 1889

Dictionary Entries Near lesser yellowlegs

Cite this Entry

“Lesser yellowlegs.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/lesser%20yellowlegs. Accessed 31 Oct. 2024.

More from Merriam-Webster on lesser yellowlegs

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!